Hank Williams, Jr.: Beyond a family tradition

Hank Williams Jr - photo by Rick Diamond of Getty Images

Today when it comes to describing country music history, you cannot help but add Hank Williams, Jr. as one of the innovators and influencers. There are few acts in the music business period that can withstand musical style changes in the field of country music for decades and still crank out hits. He has helped open the door to newer acts by having them open for his concerts. Music doesn't fall far from the music tree as his children are following the legacy that he has followed with his dad, Hank Williams.

Hank Williams, Jr. recently released, "It's About Time," that serves a reflection on the multiple decades of pure raw country music. It achieved the highest studio album peak position of his career with a No. 2 album on Billboard’s Top Country Albums and broke the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200, landing at No. 8. With numerous honors and recognition, as well as charity work over the years, one would wonder when he would fully be accepted as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Whether you know him as Hank, Jr., Bocephus, or the son of Hank Williams, there is no question about it, he has influenced many of singers across multiple genres of music.

Recently, I got the chance to ask Hank Williams, Jr. a few questions on his musical legacy, as well his new album.

Jessica Bray: What was the deciding factor to having Chris Stapleton to open for you on several shows this summer while on tour?

Hank Williams, Jr: Well, my manager and agent called me a year ago and said they had this really great guy that they wanted me to consider opening some shows. I was thinking who is this guy? Then I heard his songs and he reminded me a lot like myself and my buddies Willie, Waylon, and Johnny. He was just himself. Then, pow, he starts winning all these awards and people start to discover him. It really wasn't a thing of I wanted him or not, it was about the music and what I felt the fans that come to my shows would like. I think it is a very good package and that the fans coming to the show are going to love both his and my show.

JB: Do you feel like you are passing the “country music torch” to Eric Church and Justin Moore with the release of “Are You Ready for the Country” and “Born to Boogie” respectively?

HW: Hell no. I am not done yet and I don't think those guys would want me to think that I am done and ready to pass along the torch. I have a lot of respect for those guys and their musicianship, and I know they have said many times that they have listened to me for years. So I don’t think this is the right time to hang it up. I am still having fun and making great records.

JB: With “Dress Like an Icon,” you are correct – women are drawn to a sharp dressed man. What would you suggest men have to impress the ladies? Also, what kind of person do you think can pull of a rhinestone suit by Manuel or Nudie?

HW: Hey now, those words were very easy to come to me when I wrote that song. I am serious now, that song has a ton of meaning. No matter who you are, you have to be comfortable with what you are wearing, how you look, how you feel, and that's really what this song talks about. Today, Manuel and Nudie suits are not that common, but back in the day, that was really the happening thing.

JB: You have never stopped making music. What would be an estimate of how many songs that you have written, but not yet released?

HW: I write songs all the time. I used to have scraps of paper everywhere with lyrics of songs, titles to songs, and just ideas that came to me for a song. Now, I keep the iPad close by and I write no matter where I am. I have written thousands of songs, some I have recorded, some I have in the catalog, while others have been recorded by other artists.

JB: You keep hearing reports that people are not buying albums anymore, but you, along with Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson have proven them wrong with charting high on the Billboard album charts. Why do you think people are still drawn to traditional country music over the decades?

HW: Good music is just that…good music. I think the fans tell the real story. I only do about 25 shows a year and I sell a lot of merchandise at those shows. I sell quite a few tickets to the shows. So if the fans didn’t want to hear my music, they wouldn’t buy tickets or buy albums. There is still a place for artists like me, and I found it at Nash Icon Records. Scott Borchetta let me make a record that I wanted and his team promoted to the fans. It is a win win for everyone.

JB: Each of your children present a different style of country music, but always presented great showmanship on the stage just like yourself. What is something that you taught each of them about the music business?

HW: I support Holly, Hank III, Hilary, Katie and Sam in all they want to do in the music business or not. Holly is doing great at it. She makes great albums and still tours across the world. Shelton (Hank III) is making great music too. His style has changed over the years, but the fans love his shows and he knows how to perform, that's for sure! The others are doing some things in music, but not to the extent that Holly and Hank III are.

JB: I will say that “Just Call Me Hank” is a true biographical description of your life and career. At the end of the day, how do you want to be best remembered?

HW: I want the fans to know that I was real and made music that was for the fans.

Be sure to check out Hank Williams, Jr. website for upcoming tour dates, purchase his music, and catch up on the latest news.

Laurel County Library to host Opry exhibit

Photos by Gordon Gillingham

Laurel County Public Library in London, Kentucky, is hosting a special photography exhibit.  Experience the Grand Ole Opry like never before. The Grand Ole Opry is an American institution and the longest running radio show in the country. Since 1925, the Grand Ole Opry has brought country music to the masses and helped create superstars. View Gordon Gillingham’s photographs of the Opry between the years 1952 and 1960. The images reflect the Opry in its heyday and capture the spirit of both the musicians and the fans.

The photo exhibit will be available to view Feburary 1st - March 16th, 2016. This exhibition is open to the public during regular library hours.  For more information, be sure to check out www.laurellibrary.org. 

United Record Pressing - creating history one record at a time

United Record Pressing in Nashville - photo by Jessica Blankenship

Upon pulling up into a parking space at United Record Pressing in Nashville, you are transformed back in time.  The modest building is buzzing with activity both inside and outside.  Behind the building is the shipping department and across the lot is a printing company that provides services of printing labels, sleeves, and jackets.

Inside United Record Pressing, I was greeted by a young man, David.  He would be our tour guide to a group of about 20.  In order to be on the tour, you have to go to their website and send an email.  They only do tours on Fridays and space is limited - so be sure to get your request in early!

In the lounge area, there are offices located to the right.  There are records pretty much everywhere - from desks to the walls and then some.  Hanging prominently in the center of the wall was a record player with a clear record.  It would be one of Third Man Records specialty products.  Inside was blue liquid, so that when you played the record, it looked like a lava lamp.  Very few were even made of this style record.

Before I forget - if you have difficulty walking steps, then this tour may not be for you.  There is no handicap access to the upstairs area or to the front of the building.

David led our group upstairs to a rather large room.  Inside was original furniture from the 1960s.  In fact, all of the furniture throughout the top floor was original with the exception of a couple of modern appliances.  

Upstairs at United Record Pressing - Photo by Jessica Blankenship

Hank Williams, Jr. signed his record contract on that table - Photo by Jessica Blankenship

Upstairs at United Record Pressing - Photo by Jessica Blankenship

David detailing the history at United Record Pressing - Photo by Jessica Blankenship

Pick a color, any color, or perhaps blend them together to make your vinyl record. - Photo by Jessica Blankenship

In the large room, many have hosted record release parties.   Hank Williams, Jr. had his 16th birthday party and signed a recording contract. Wanda Jackson filmed a music video for "Thunder on the Mountain."  You can watch the video below:

A lot of historical facts and production facts were noted.  United Record Pressing use to be called Southern Plastics.  They have been making vinyl since 1949 and moved to their current location in 1962.  The company uses 5 tons of black vinyl a day.  They press 40,000 records a day.  The machines that they use are original. There are 6 people in the world that know how to work on the machines, with 3 of them being employed at United Record Pressing.  The plant works 24 hours a day, 6 days a week.  The company has purchased additional property, as well as more machines, to expand production.  Currently they are only working with existing customers as they are so backed up on orders.

Motown Records would possibly not be in existence without United Record Pressing.  They provided the financing, as well as built a suite with bedroom and living quarters so that African Americans could record and stay at the studios in the 1960s. 

Motown Suite - Photo by Jessica Blankenship

 So how do they make a vinyl record?  Our group was lead back downstairs into the plant area.  The vinyl record making process is a scientific process of multiple steps.  The company takes your music and transfers it onto a lacquer plate.  This is used to create metal parts that become the stampers.  The stampers have ridges that put grooves into the vinyl to make the record.  In the machine, small pellets of vinyl are melted to form what looks like a hockey puck.  Labels for the A and B side of the record are placed on each side.  A heavy pressure plate pushes the vinyl puck, as well as melts it down to flatten out the record.  The press will also put the grooves into the vinyl.  Access vinyl is trimmed and placed into a garbage can.  This access vinyl is recycled to form more records.  Once a record is made, it falls onto a needle.

A record will have a pressing and two employees will listen to the album for any errors.  They mark precisely on computers where any pops, cracks, or errors are noted.  They can go from listening to rap to rock to country.  If any errors occur, they look back at the lacquer plates, mother plates, and stampers to see where it occurred.  Once they complete their process, several copies of a test pressing will be sent to the musician/band for them to review.  Once the band approves, then the final product is made.

During the tour, we got to see several unreleased items.  However, prior to our tour, we signed a confidentiality agreement that we could not discuss what records we saw.  Interestingly enough, one of the records was one that I had pre-ordered.  It was pretty exciting to see something that you bought being made in front of your eyes.  On book carts like at a library, there were hundreds of record jackets on display.  They would be carted off to be shipped.  There were multiple colored records, as well as all black albums being made.  All of the workers were smiling and seemed to enjoy their work there.

Before I knew it, we came to the end of our tour that lasted 2 hours.  After seeing the entire process and learning the history, you truly understand the value of price that goes into a record.  There is a lot of time and effort to seek perfection in the quality from the moment the plant receives your music file to the final product.  In a day and age where many manufacturing plants move away from the United States, this one has remained for multiple generations.  By the looks of it, it will continue to grow and expand for many more generations for a true American product.

Below is a video from the making of Jamey Johnson's "Guitar Song" on vinyl to give you a good look of the machines and the entire process. 

 Many thanks to the staff for their kindness and to my tour guide, David, who provided such valuable historic information that I would have not gotten otherwise!

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Birthday of a Legend - Hank Williams

Hank Williams, Sr.

Born on this date in 1923 in Mt. Olive, Alabama, was the lonesome drifter, the one with soul, sorrow, and the one that many consider a legend.  Hank Williams, Sr. was born on September 17, 1923.  He would be considered to be one of the earliest country music stars back in the day.  To this day, his music lives on in the hearts of country music fans.

Hank Williams son, Hank Williams, Jr., otherwise known as Bocephus, carried on the family tradition.  His son, Hank Williams, III, or simply known as III or 3, shares a striking resemblance in both looks and vocals of his late grandfather.

Looking at the many works of Hank Williams, he was a poet, a songwriter, a writer of many simple words that yet, put together, brings out a new meaning of things in life.

Who would have thought that a young man would write songs like "I Saw the Light," as well as "Hey, Good Lookin," and "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive."

So much has been said and written about the legend.  He was let go from the Grand Ole Opry, but yet for years they would talk about him during tours and use his image.  Sadly, they updated their tours and Hank Williams is no longer mentioned in their videos or from the tour guides.  It is as if he never existed.

Hank Williams is, however, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.  The museum featured the entire Williams Family Legacy in a special exhibit a few years ago that was personally beyond amazing with all of the details of the entire Williams family.

Hank Williams has got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, as well as membership into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Music Hall of Fame, Native American Music Hall of Fame, Recording Academy Grammy Hall of Fame (Lovesick Blues), and a Pulitzer Prize Board Citation.

Before all of the lights, smoke, and theatrics of concerts these days there was Hank Williams who could capture an audience by his vocals.  Sadly we lost the legend at the young age of 29 years old in 1953.  Imagine how many more songs would have been written without this huge loss in music.

Be sure to subscribe to read more of Jessica's personal stories, interviews, and photos in country music.  You can also check us out on Facebook.

How to stand out in the music business

When you turn on the radio, sometimes you come across a song and you think it sounds like one person, only to find out it is someone totally different.  In my opinion, I think you should have a distinctive voice to stand out in the music business, rather than sounding like another person.  It is one thing to be influenced by a singer, but to sound just like them leaves you to be an imitator anymore.

Is it me but does:

Brothers Osborne "Rum" sound like Toby Keith?

Eric Paslay "Song About a Girl" sound like Keith Anderson?

Cole Swindell "Hope You Get Lonely" sound like Scotty McCreery?

What ever happen to having unique distinctive voices like Conway Twitty, Keith Whitley, Vern Gosdin, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings for the males and Lee Ann Womack, Reba McEntire, Loretta Lynn, and Tammy Wynette for the girls?  Way too many acts sounding alike that I cannot tell one from the other.

Are there others that you thought was someone only to find out it is someone else?  Or who has a unique distinctive vocals that you KNOW who it is the moment they utter a word?

Hank 3 at Mercury Ballroom Review and Photos

I have gone to hundreds of concerts, interviewed quite a few folks, photographed shows, and met many. Hands down I can say Hank III was the most humbling experience. Check out my interview with him by clicking here. This would be my second time seeing him play in concert.  The first time was in Lexington, Ky at Busters.  I was on the front row for that show.  This time it was Mercury Ballroom in Louisville, Kentucky.  The venue was very nice and all of the staff were very helpful.  I'll talk about the venue setup, then the show itself. 

Nashville News Roundup: Week Ending 2/21/2014

Little Jimmy Dickens

Every Friday around 9:20 am, I deliver the Nashville News Roundup on WFKY - Froggy 104.9/101.7 out of Frankfort, Kentucky.  You can listen on the radio, online at www.myfroggyville.com, or on the "Tune-In" app on your phone. Here are this week's highlights:

 

Salute the Troops
Merle Haggard, George Strait and Carrie Underwood are among the performers slated to perform on a new special, ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops, which will be taped in Las Vegas on April 7, the day after the ACM Awards. Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum and The Band Perry are also confirmed to appear on the special. More artists are expected to join the lineup in the coming weeks. The concert will air as a two-hour special on CBS on May 20. 

Baby Boone on Board
Congratulations to Rory and Joey Feek of Joey + Rory on the birth of daughter Indiana Boone Feek this week. According to a post on the duo's Facebook page, "Mama and baby are both doing well."

 

Unbridled Eve Gala Update

My pal, Leslie Meyer, and I have covered the red carpet for the first two Unbridled Eve Galas that happen on Derby Eve.  Be sure to check out her article that talks about the 3rd annual Unbridled Eve Gala. 

Latest Interviews: Be sure to check out my latest interviews from Marty Stuart and Gethen Jenkins of the Freightshakers

 

Awesome Possum Fact of the Week: On this date in 1948, Little Jimmy Dickens made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, performing "John Henry" and "I Dreamed Of An Old Love Affair."

Handpicked Download of the Week: Dierks Bentley "Hurt Somebody" off his new album, Riser. 

 

Happy Birthday Hank Williams

On this date in 1923, Hank Williams was born in Mount Olive, Alabama. He was considered one of the most popular and influential singer-songwriters in country music.  He was best known for his hit songs, "Cold, Cold Heart," "Your Cheating Heart," "Hey Good Looking," "I Saw the Light," and "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive."

He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry, but would later be fired for not being reliable and being drunk.  The dark side of life took a hold of him when he died early New Years Day due to alcohol and drugs. He was just 29 years old when he died in 1953.

When the Country Music Hall of Fame was established, Hank Williams would be its first inductee in 1961.  He was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1985.  Two years later in 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1999, he was inducted into the Native American Music Hall of Fame. 

(Read more & view photos after the jump)

Hank Williams, Sr. to Receive Special Lifetime Achievement Award

Hank Williams, Sr. - from Country Music Hall of Fame

The Pulitzer Prize Board has awarded a posthumous Special Citation to country music icon Hank Williams for his lifetime achievement as a musician, Columbia University announced today. The citation praises Williams for “his craftsmanship as a songwriter who expressed universal feelings with poignant simplicity and played a pivotal role in transforming country music into a major musical and cultural force in American life.”

“The citation, above all, recognizes the lasting impact of Williams as a creative force that influenced a wide range of other musicians and performers,” said Sig Gissler, administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes. “At the same time, the award highlights the Board’s desire to broaden its Music Prize and recognize the full range of musical excellence that might not have been considered in the past.”

Considered the father of country music, Hank Williams was noted for singing and writing songs on the struggles of everyday people.  His catalog of songs include "Your Cheating Heart," "Jambalaya," "I Saw the Light," and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." He also co-wrote a song with Kentucky native, Bill Monroe, called "I'm Lonesome I'm Blue."  That song was recently released on the Grascals album as a duet with Hank Williams, Jr.

For the complete list of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize Award Winners, please visit www.pulitzer.org.